Print media roll holder with multi-diameter core adapter

Abstract

A print media roll holder includes a multi-diameter core adapter for mounting print media rolls of different core sizes. The roll holder comprises a ring-shaped frame having a base portion provided with a guide rack which is used for positional adjustment. The multi-diameter core adapter is pivotally mounted inside the ring-shaped frame on two opposing lateral pins inserted through the frame and through the core adapter for 180 degree rotation in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction depending on the size of core being used. The guide rack is part of a rack and pinion gear system used to vary the spacing between the roll holders in a reciprocal linear fashion.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A print media roll holder adapted for use with print media rolls of different core sizes, comprising: 
       a frame; and  
       a core adapter pivotally coupled within said frame for rotational movement about a central axis, said core adapter having a first side adapted for coupling to a print media core of a first inner core diameter and a second side adapted for coupling to a print media core of a second inner core diameter.  
     
     
       2. The print media roll holder of  claim 1 , wherein said first side of said core adapter is adapted for coupling to a print media core of a 1 inch inner core diameter. 
     
     
       3. The print media roll holder of  claim 1 , wherein said second side of said core adapter is adapted for coupling to a print media core of a ⅜ inch inner core diameter. 
     
     
       4. The print media roll holder of  claim 1 , wherein said first side of said core adapter is adapted for coupling to a print media core of a ⅜ inch inner core diameter. 
     
     
       5. The print media roll holder of  claim 1 , wherein said second side of said core adapter is adapted for coupling to a print media core of a 1 inch inner core diameter. 
     
     
       6. The print media roll holder of  claim 1 , wherein said frame is substantially ring-shaped and includes a base portion supported by a guide rack adapted for positional adjustment of said print media roll holder within an image forming device. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for mounting print media rolls of different core sizes, said apparatus comprising: 
       a first print media roll holder having a frame;  
       a second print media roll holder having a frame and disposed opposite said first print media roll holder for accommodating print media rolls of different core sizes between said first and second print media roll holders, each of said first and second print media roll holders including a core adapter pivotally coupled within a respective frame for rotational movement about a central axis, each said core adapter having a first side adapted for coupling to a print media core of a first inner core diameter and a second side adapted for coupling to a print media core of a second inner core diameter; and  
       means for adjusting the position of said first and second print media roll holders in a reciprocal linear fashion.  
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each frame is substantially ring-shaped and includes a base portion to support said frame. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said adjusting means includes first and second guide racks respectively coupled to the base portion of said ring-shaped frames, each of said first and second guide racks adapted to movably engage a pinion gear mounted between said first and second guide racks for rotation, said pinion gear rotation causing said first and second guide racks to move in a reciprocal linear fashion relative to said pinion gear to adjust the position of said first and second print media roll holders. 
     
     
       10. A method for mounting print media rolls of different core sizes on a pair of oppositely displaced roll holder frames with each frame having a core adapter pivotally connected to the frame and adapted for rotation about a central frame axis within the frame, the method comprising the steps of: 
       (a) rotating the core adapters about their respective central axes to select a frame side adapted for coupling to a desired core size of a print media roll; and  
       (b) coupling each selected frame side to a respective end of the print media core to support the print media roll thereon.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of adjusting the relative position of the roll holder frames to provide enough space to mount the print media core before step (b).